Latest revision as of 01:19, 4 February 2009

A Jeep Gladiator equipped with a camper shell.

The Jeep Gladiator was a full-size Pickup truck based on the SJJeep WagoneerSUV. It was introduced in 1962. Gladiator designations were: J200 for short wheelbase trucks up to mid 1965 followed by J2000; J300 for long wheelbase trucks up to mid 1965 followed by J3000; and J4000 which was the first model with the longer 131-inch (3,300 mm) wheelbase.

Gladiators were available in Rear-wheel drive and Four-wheel drive with a solid front axle or Independent suspension, with the optional dual rear wheels in configurations such as cab and chassis, wrecker, stake bed, and Chassis mounted campers with extended wheelbases (see the Dually Registry listed in the links below for more information). Variations on the bed were: Townside, Thriftside (a "stepside"), and stakebed. The Gladiator name was dropped after 1971, after which the line was known simply as the Jeep pickup with J2000 and J4000 models until 1973 then J10 and J20 from 1974 to 1988. Military versions of the Jeep pickup included the Kaiser Jeep M715 and M725.

2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept Vehicle

The Jeep Gladiator at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show.

In late 2004 a new Jeep Gladiator concept was introduced. While not actually intended to be for sale, it was used as a demonstration of what Jeep was planning on in the Future. The Gladiator features an open-air Canvas roof, fold-down Windshield, removable doors and has an expandable truck bed. The Gladiator has a 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo Diesel engine that provides 163 hp (122 kW) and 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) of Torque. The truck has a 6-speed Manual transmission. Ground clearance is 13.7 inches (350 mm), with a break-over angle of 23.2 degrees and an approach angle of 47.6 and departure angle of 38.0 degrees. Front and rear tires are 34 inches (860 mm) and are mounted on 18x8 inch wheels. The Jeep Gladiator has a 1,500-pound Cargo.